“Social distancing” and “flattening the curve” have been in the news. "Social distancing" is avoiding physical contact with people who do not live with you as well as public spaces, where surfaces may be infected. “Flattening the curve” is the use of social distancing to slow the spread of the virus so that fewer people need to seek treatment at any given time. This explains why Ottawa Public Health is advising social distancing.

If you have family members living in long-term care homes, retirement homes, supportive housing, hospices and other care settings, visiting only as regulations allow and staying in touch by phone

If you are still working, talking to your employer about working from home where possible

Please note that these guidelines are not meant to say “you must stay in your home!”

You can still go outside to take a walk, go to the park, or walk your dog. If you need groceries, go to the store. The recommendation is simply that while outside you make sure to avoid crowds and maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 metres) from those around you.

We are in this together

We can all help by keeping in touch by phones and screens with family, friends and neighbours. We can offer to help and ask for help when we need it.

Over the next while, we will be putting out our INFO-FLASH newsletters, like this one, on COVID-19 related topics of interest to seniors.